A doula ( / ˈ d uː l ə / ; from Ancient Greek δούλα 'female slave'; Greek pronunciation: [ˈðula] ) is a non-medical professional who provides guidance for the service of others and who supports another person (the doula's client) through a significant health-related experience, such as childbirth , miscarriage , induced abortion or stillbirth , as well as non-reproductive experiences such as dying . A doula might also provide support to the client's partner, family, and friends.
135-425: The doula's goal and role is to help the client feel safe and comfortable, complementing the role of the healthcare professionals who provide the client's medical care. Unlike a physician, midwife , or nurse, a doula cannot administer medication or other medical treatment or give medical advice. An individual might need to complete training to work as a doula, although training and certification processes vary throughout
270-755: A Juris Doctor in 1989. In 1990, Harris was hired as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, California , where she was described as "an able prosecutor on the way up". In 1994, Speaker of the California Assembly Willie Brown , who was then dating Harris, appointed her to the state Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board and later to the California Medical Assistance Commission. In February 1998, San Francisco district attorney Terence Hallinan recruited Harris as an assistant district attorney. There, she became
405-728: A historically black university in Washington, D.C. At Howard, she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha , one of the "Divine Nine" historically black sororities. She graduated in 1986 with a degree in political science and economics. Harris then attended the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, where she served as president of its chapter of the Black Law Students Association . She graduated with
540-601: A "forceful" campaign and differentiating herself from Hallinan by attacking his performance. Harris won the election with 56% of the vote, becoming the first person of color elected district attorney of San Francisco. She ran unopposed for a second term in 2007. Within the first six months of taking office, Harris cleared 27 of 74 backlogged homicide cases. She also pushed for higher bail for criminal defendants involved in gun-related crimes, arguing that historically low bail encouraged outsiders to commit crimes in San Francisco. SFPD officers credited Harris with tightening
675-471: A Hate Crimes Unit, focusing on hate crimes against LGBT children and teens in schools, and supported A.B. 1160, the Gwen Araujo Justice for Victims Act. As District Attorney, she created an environmental crimes unit in 2005. Harris expressed support for San Francisco's sanctuary city policy of not inquiring about immigration status in the process of a criminal investigation. In 2004, she created
810-756: A bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in midwifery (Bachelor of Midwifery, Graduate Diploma in Midwifery). Midwives in Australia must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency to practice midwifery, and use the title midwife or registered midwife . Midwives work in a number of settings including hospitals, birthing centres, community centres and women's homes. They may be employed by health services or organisations, or self-employed as privately practising midwives. All midwives are expected to work within
945-504: A bail reform bill with Rand Paul , an election security bill with James Lankford , and a workplace harassment bill with Lisa Murkowski . Following her election as Vice President of the United States, Harris resigned from her seat on January 18, 2021, before taking office on January 20, and was replaced by California Secretary of State Alex Padilla . While in the Senate, Harris was
1080-497: A bill to certify doulas to lend legitimacy to the profession and to pave the way for Medicaid reimbursement from the federal government, becoming the first state to do so. Doulas in New York, however, expressed concern about the bill, having not been involved with the bill's writing, citing that state certification would make doulas more beholden to the formal medical system, be a hit to business if certification programs are not approved by
1215-459: A birth doula providing support during childbirth might increase likelihood of vaginal birth (rather than Caesarean section ), decrease the need for pain medication during labor, and improve the perception of the birthing experience. The benefits of a doula providing other types of support have been less well studied, but might improve a client's experience with medical care or help an individual cope with health transitions. The concept of having
1350-528: A companion providing support to the birthing woman dates back to prehistoric times, evidenced by archeological findings of stone carvings and statues and anthropological studies. However, the contemporary role of "doula" first emerged from the grassroots natural birth movement in the United States in the 1960s when women began desiring unmedicated, low-intervention births and began to have friends and others with formal or practical knowledge about childbirth provide them with support during pregnancy. The term doula
1485-496: A companion such as a doula was highly appreciated by most women. However, perceptions may vary from country to country due to cultural factors, such as an emphasis on modesty and privacy, which might affect what kind of support a woman prefers. A 2018 study examining news media discourse in China noted that Chinese doulas needed to register with official departments or organizations and are closely linked with midwifery. The doula profession
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#17330937600061620-474: A death row inmate, while others did not withstand scrutiny. In the immediate aftermath of the debate, Harris fell in the polls. Over the next few months her poll numbers fell to the low single digits. Harris faced criticism from reformers for tough-on-crime policies she pursued while she was California's attorney general. In 2014, she defended California's death penalty in court. Before and during her presidential campaign, an online informal organization using
1755-399: A decision that will damage our national security and aggravate conditions inside Central America....Since taking office, you have consistently expressed a flawed understanding of U.S. foreign assistance. It is neither charity, nor is it a gift to foreign governments. Our national security funding is specifically designed to promote American interests, enhance our collective security, and protect
1890-467: A defined scope of practice and conform to ongoing regulatory requirements that ensure they are safe and autonomous practitioners. Midwifery was reintroduced as a regulated profession in most of Canada's ten provinces in the 1990s. Prior to this legalization, some midwives had practiced in a legal "grey area" in some provinces. In 1981, a midwife in British Columbia was charged with practicing without
2025-434: A doula has formal training in labor support. The kinds of support provided during childbirth might include physical assistance and comfort (massage, maintaining a supporting posture, or providing water), emotional support (providing company, encouragement or simply talking in a soothing tone of voice), acting as an advocate during childbirth (supporting the birthing woman's right to make decisions about their own body and baby to
2160-702: A few years in college towns in the Midwest where her parents held teaching or research positions: Urbana, Illinois (where her sister Maya was born in 1966); Evanston, Illinois ; and Madison, Wisconsin . By 1970, the marriage had faltered, and Shyamala moved back to Berkeley with her two daughters; the couple divorced when Kamala was seven. In 1972, Donald Harris accepted a position at Stanford University; Kamala and Maya spent weekends at their father's house in Palo Alto and lived at their mother's house in Berkeley during
2295-535: A first year of medical studies common with Medicine, Odontology and Pharmacy) leading to an accredited master's degree in midwifery (Diplôme d'Etat de Sage-Femme). Midwives in France must be registered with the Ordre des sages-femmes to practice midwifery and use the title sage-femme . Professional associations/colleges: The undergraduate midwifery programs are four-year full-time university programs, with an internship in
2430-567: A formal organization can be controversial within medical settings due to a lack of formal medical education when a discussion regarding medical interventions in labor versus pursuing natural childbirth without an epidural or cesarean section arises. Major doula organizations that offer certification programs include Birth Arts International, Birth Works, Birthing from Within, Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA), DONA International , Hypnobirthing, International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA), and ProDoula. Because of
2565-571: A male Senate colleague in a similar manner. In December, Harris called for the resignation of Senator Al Franken , writing on Twitter, "Sexual harassment and misconduct should not be allowed by anyone and should not occur anywhere." In January, Harris was appointed to the Senate Judiciary Committee after Franken resigned. Later that month, she questioned Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen for favoring Norwegian immigrants over others and for claiming to be unaware that Norway
2700-544: A matter of public safety and pointing out that the majority of prison inmates and homicide victims are dropouts or habitual truants, she issued citations against six parents whose children missed at least 50 days of school, the first time San Francisco prosecuted adults for student truancy. Harris's office ultimately prosecuted seven parents in three years, with none jailed. By April 2009, 1,330 elementary school students were habitual or chronic truants, down 23% from 1,730 in 2008, and from 2,517 in 2007 and 2,856 in 2006. Harris
2835-506: A medical license. After several decades of intensive political lobbying by midwives and consumers, fully integrated, regulated and publicly funded midwifery is now part of the health system in the provinces of British Columbia (regulated since 1995), Alberta (regulated since 2000, fully funded since 2009) Saskatchewan (regulated since 1999), Manitoba (regulated since 1997), Ontario (regulated since 1991), Quebec (regulated since 1999), and Nova Scotia (regulated since 2006), and in
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#17330937600062970-543: A meeting he may have had regarding the Mueller Investigation with a member of Kasowitz Benson Torres , the law firm founded by Donald Trump 's personal attorney, Marc Kasowitz . Kavanaugh was unable to answer and repeatedly deflected. Harris also participated in questioning the FBI director's limited scope of the investigation of Kavanaugh regarding allegations of sexual assault. She voted against his confirmation. Harris
3105-410: A member of the following committees: Harris had been considered a top contender and potential front-runner for the 2020 Democratic nomination for president . In June 2018, she said she was "not ruling it out". In July 2018, it was announced that she would publish a memoir, a sign of a possible run. On January 21, 2019, Harris officially announced her candidacy for president of the United States in
3240-412: A national profile while asking pointed questions of officials within the first administration of President Donald Trump during Senate hearings, including Trump's second U.S. Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh . Harris sought the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination in 2019, but withdrew from the race before the primaries . Biden selected her as his running mate , and their ticket defeated
3375-523: A pregnancy, labour, birth, or postpartum, a midwife consults with a specialist such as an obstetrician or paediatrician. Core competencies and restricted activities are included in the BC Health Professions Act Midwives Regulation. As of April 2009, the scope of practice for midwives allows them to prescribe certain prescription drugs, use acupuncture for pain relief, assist a surgeon in a caesarean section delivery and to perform
3510-812: A primary complete maternity service to childbearing women on its own responsibility. The undergraduate midwifery programmes are three-year full-time (three trimesters per year) tertiary programmes leading to a bachelor's degree in midwifery (Bachelor of Midwifery or Bachelor of Health Science (Midwifery)). These programmes are offered by Otago Polytechnic in Dunedin, Ara Institute of Canterbury (formally CPIT) in Christchurch, Waikato Institute of Technology in Hamilton and Auckland University of Technology (AUT) in Auckland. Several schools have satellite programmes such as Otago with
3645-583: A programme in Southland, Wanaka, Wellington, Palmerston North, Wanganui, and Wairarapa – and AUT with student cohorts in various sites in the upper North Island. The postgraduate midwifery programmes (for registered midwives) lead to postgraduate degrees or equivalent qualifications in midwifery (Postgraduate Certificate in Midwifery, Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery, Master of Midwifery, PhD Professional Doctorate). The Midwifery First Year of Practice Programme (MFYP)
3780-472: A senator, in 2019 Harris reintroduced the Maternal Care Access and Reducing Emergencies (CARE) Act which aimed to address the maternal mortality disparity faced by women of color by training providers on recognizing implicit racial bias and its impact on care. Harris stated: "We need to speak the uncomfortable truth that women—and especially Black women—are too often not listened to or taken seriously by
3915-573: A sense of cultural humility that fosters trust and strengthens relationships between the doula and their client. The services provided are often low cost, and expand in the amount of support offered compared to traditional doulas and consider physical, social spiritual and emotional needs. Services include an increased amount of home visits, preparation for the birthing experience, education, guidance navigating health care systems, language support, screening for mental health, and food security needs. Additionally, community-based doula models provide insight in
4050-605: A shortage of funding for these resources. According to the definition of the International Confederation of Midwives , which has also been adopted by the World Health Organization and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics : A midwife is a person who has successfully completed a midwifery education programme that is recognised in the country where it is located and that
4185-438: A training course, time spent working or learning about maternity care and childbirth classes, and possibly a written exam. Some doulas train through distance education. There is a movement to encourage certification and provide documentation of it on consumer websites such as DoulaMatch where an individual can find certified doulas, childbirth educators, yoga instructors, and other birth-related professionals. Doulas not trained by
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4320-619: A vacuum extraction delivery. These specialized practices require additional education and certification. As of November 2015, the College of Midwives of British Columbia reported 247 General, 2 Temporary, 46 Non-practicing Registrant midwives. There were 2 midwives per 100,000 people in BC in 2006. A midwife must register with the College of Midwives of BC to practice. To continue licensure, midwives must maintain regular recertification in neonatal resuscitation and management of maternal emergencies, maintain
4455-521: A way to "help others, to establish a practice as an employed doula, and to have a route into nursing or midwifery." From 2021 to present, Canada has specifically focused research on the cultural significance of indigenous practices in doula work. A 2004 study of North American doulas identified challenges to doula work such as lack of support from clinicians, balancing doula work with family and other work obligations, and being on call. Volunteer doulas also found challenges in individuals' poor understanding of
4590-455: A woman who is with another woman and assists her in giving birth. The term "male midwife" is common parlance when referring to males who work as midwives. In English, the noun midwife is gendered, and in most countries, the corresponding noun and practice is historically used for women (sometimes banned for men), while in English, the verb midwifery is also applied to men (e.g. Havelock Ellis
4725-469: Is a health professional who cares for mothers and newborns around childbirth, a specialization known as midwifery . The education and training for a midwife concentrates extensively on the care of women throughout their lifespan; concentrating on being experts in what is normal and identifying conditions that need further evaluation. In most countries, midwives are recognized as skilled healthcare providers. Midwives are trained to recognize variations from
4860-595: Is a compulsory national programme for all New Zealand registered midwifery graduates, irrespective of work setting. The New Zealand College of Midwives (the NZCOM) is contracted by the funder, Health Workforce New Zealand (HWNZ), to provide the programme nationally in accordance with the programme specification. Midwives in New Zealand must be registered with the Midwifery Council of New Zealand to practice midwifery, and use
4995-664: Is a predominantly white country. Also in January, Harris and Senators Heidi Heitkamp , Jon Tester , and Claire McCaskill co-sponsored the Border and Port Security Act, legislation to mandate that U.S. Customs and Border Protection "hire, train and assign at least 500 officers per year until the number of needed positions the model identifies is filled" and require the commissioner of Customs and Border Protection to determine potential equipment and infrastructure improvements for ports of entry. In May, Harris heatedly questioned Nielsen about
5130-450: Is also known as a birth companion, nonclinical birth worker, birth coach, or post-birth supporter, by providing continuous care before, during, or after in the form of information, advocacy, physical support, and emotional support. A birth doula is also called a labor doula. A birth doula might accompany a pregnant woman during labor and birth in place of or in addition to a partner, family member, or friend. Unlike these other birth companions,
5265-462: Is available in most hospitals. In this case, a woman's own midwife delivers the baby at the delivery room of a hospital, without intervention of an obstetrician. In all settings, midwives transfer care to an obstetrician in case of a complicated childbirth or need for emergency intervention. Apart from childbirth and immediate postpartum care, midwives are the first line of care in pregnancy control and education of mothers-to-be. Typical information that
5400-600: Is based on the ICM Essential Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice and the framework of the ICM Global Standards for Midwifery Education; who has acquired the requisite qualifications to be registered or legally licensed to practice midwifery and use the title midwife ; and who demonstrates competency in the practice of midwifery. The word derives from Middle English mid , "with", and wif , "woman", and thus originally meant "with-woman", that is,
5535-487: Is given to mothers includes information about food, alcohol, life style, travel, hobbies, sex, etc. Some midwifery practices give additional care in the form of preconceptional care and help with fertility problems. All care by midwives is legal and it is totally reimbursed by all insurance companies. This includes prenatal care, childbirth (by midwives or obstetricians, at home or in the hospital), as well as postpartum/postnatal care for mother and baby at home. Midwifery
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5670-806: Is no law requiring doulas to become certified, however, certification can benefit professional doulas by providing structured education prior to entry into the field, access to a mentor, opportunities for networking, and client confidence. In North America , training generally takes the form of a two- to the three-day seminar, and some experience with childbirth. Trainees might have hands-on practice with various techniques used during childbirth, including maternal positions and movements, relaxation and breathing exercises and other measures that could be used for comfort. Certification can occur through organizations at various levels (local, national, or international) and some require positive evaluations from medical professionals. Certification may also require, in addition to attending
5805-412: Is practicing midwifery without a license and is subject to investigation and prosecution. Prior to legislative changes, very few Canadian women had access to midwifery care, in part because it was not funded by the health care system . Legalizing midwifery has made midwifery services available to a wide and diverse population of women and in many communities, the number of available midwives does not meet
5940-502: Is said to have midwifed bigamist Howard Hinton 's aka John Weldon's twins in 1883; historically, assistance was done be relatives, even only husbands, while male midwifery, excluding relatives, being common in some cultures, goes back to at least the 20th century; for Semelai people women also practised it up to 1980, while by 1992 some areas had only male midwives, and later most areas had only male midwives ). The older Semelai word for midwife, mudem , "itself provides insight into
6075-609: The 2020 presidential election . In the first 24 hours after her announcement, she tied a record set by Bernie Sanders in 2016 for the most donations raised in the day after an announcement. More than 20,000 people attended her campaign launch event in her hometown of Oakland, California, on January 27, according to a police estimate. During the first Democratic presidential debate in June 2019, Harris scolded former vice president Joe Biden for "hurtful" remarks he made, speaking fondly of senators who opposed integration efforts in
6210-576: The Inflation Reduction Act . After Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential election , Harris launched her campaign with Biden's endorsement and soon became the presumptive nominee. She lost the election to Trump. Kamala Devi Harris was born in Oakland, California , on October 20, 1964. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan (1938–2009), was a biologist who arrived in the United States from India in 1958 to enroll in graduate school in endocrinology at
6345-509: The Intelligence Committee , and Senator Richard Burr , the committee chairman, to interrupt her and request that she be more respectful of the witness. A week later, she questioned Jeff Sessions , the attorney general , on the same topic. Sessions said her questioning "makes me nervous". Burr's singling out of Harris sparked suggestions in the news media that his behavior was sexist, with commentators arguing that Burr would not treat
6480-522: The Northwest Territories (regulated since 2003) and Nunavut (regulated since 2008). In 2023, Midwifery is regulated in New Brunswick , Newfoundland and Labrador , Prince Edward Island and Yukon . The undergraduate midwifery programs are four-year full-time university programs leading to bachelor's degrees in midwifery (B.H.Sc. in Midwifery, Bachelor of Midwifery). In British Columbia,
6615-616: The Trump administration family separation policy , under which children were separated from their families when their parents were taken into custody for illegally entering the U.S. In June, after visiting one of the detention facilities near the border in San Diego, Harris became the first senator to demand Nielsen's resignation. In the September and October Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation hearings , Harris questioned Brett Kavanaugh about
6750-675: The University College of the North . In Quebec , the program is offered at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières . In northern Quebec and Nunavut, Inuit women are being educated to be midwives in their own communities. There is also a programme for aboriginal midwives in Ontario. In Ontario, the Midwifey Act exempts Indigenous people from obtaining a four-year midwifery degree or registering with
6885-580: The University of British Columbia . At the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières , French-speaking internationally trained midwives may earn the Certificat personnalisé en pratique sage-femme. Midwives in Canada must be registered, after assessment by the provincial regulatory bodies, to practice midwifery, and use the title midwife , registered midwife or, the French-language equivalent, sage-femme . From
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#17330937600067020-779: The University of California, Berkeley . A research career of over 40 years followed, during which her work on the progesterone receptor gene led to advances in breast cancer research. Kamala's father, Donald J. Harris (1938–), is an Afro-Jamaican who immigrated to the United States in 1961 and also enrolled in UC Berkeley, specializing in development economics . The first Black scholar to be granted tenure at Stanford University 's economics department, he has emeritus status there. Kamala's parents met in 1962 and married in 1963. The Harris family lived in Berkeley until they moved in 1966, around Kamala's second birthday. The Harrises lived for
7155-511: The University of California, Hastings College of the Law . She began her law career in the office of the district attorney of Alameda County . She was recruited to the San Francisco District Attorney's Office and later to the office of the city attorney of San Francisco . She was elected district attorney of San Francisco in 2003 and attorney general of California in 2010 , and reelected as attorney general in 2014 . Harris
7290-617: The Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan , the largest camp for Syrian refugees. In June, Harris garnered media attention for her questioning of Rod Rosenstein , the deputy attorney general , over the role he played in the May 2017 firing of James Comey , the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation . The prosecutorial nature of her questioning caused Senator John McCain , an ex officio member of
7425-551: The human rights of their clients in the hopes of ending social stereotypes. Abortion doulas provide care before, during, and after an abortion, with support varying by person and their informational, emotional, physical, and practical needs. Doulas work in a variety of situations, including community collectives and as solo practitioners, and provide abortion support as a service in their full-spectrum practice. There are no certifications specifically for abortion doulas that are administered nationally or through individual states. In
7560-453: The loopholes defendants had used in the past. During her campaign, Harris pledged never to seek the death penalty, and kept to this in the cases of a San Francisco Police Department officer, Isaac Espinoza, who was shot and killed in 2004, and of Edwin Ramos , an illegal immigrant and alleged MS-13 gang member who was accused of murdering a man and his two sons in 2009. Harris created
7695-511: The 1970s and working with them to oppose mandatory school bussing. Harris's support rose by between six and nine points in polls after that debate. In the second debate in August, Biden and Representative Tulsi Gabbard confronted Harris over her record as attorney general. The San Jose Mercury News assessed that some of Gabbard's and Biden's accusations were on point, such as blocking the DNA testing of
7830-460: The 2016 election , Harris called for U.S. Attorney General William Barr to testify before Congress in the interests of transparency. Two days later, Barr released a four-page "summary" of the redacted Mueller Report, which was criticized as a deliberate mischaracterization of its conclusions. Later that month, Harris was one of 12 Democratic senators led by Mazie Hirono to sign a letter questioning Barr's decision to offer "his own conclusion that
7965-712: The Canadian model of midwifery include informed choice, choice of birthplace, continuity of care from a small group of midwives and respect for the mother as the primary decision maker. Midwives typically have hospital privileges, and support the woman's right to choose where she has her baby. The legal recognition of midwifery has brought midwives into the mainstream of health care with universal funding for services, hospital privileges, rights to prescribe medications commonly needed during pregnancy, birth and postpartum, and rights to order blood work and ultrasounds for their own clients and full consultation access to physicians. To protect
8100-569: The College of Midwives of BC and the Midwives Association of BC. The qualification of midwife in the European Union is regulated by Directive 2005/36/EC . Midwives ( sage-femmes , literally meaning "wise-woman" or maïeuticien / maïeuticienne ) are independent practitioners, specialists in birth and women's medicine. The undergraduate midwifery programs are five-year full-time university programs (four years in midwifery schools after
8235-404: The College of Midwives of BC. In BC, midwives are primary care providers for women in all stages of pregnancy, from prenatal to six weeks postpartum. Midwives also care for newborns. The approximate proportion of women whose primary birth attendant was a midwife in British Columbia has been evaluated. Midwives in BC can deliver natural births in hospitals or homes. If a complication arises in
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#17330937600068370-405: The College of Midwives of Ontario if they practice as midwife in their own community. There are also three "bridging programs" for internationally educated midwives. The International Midwifery Pre-registration Program (IMPP) is a nine-month program offered by Toronto Metropolitan University in Ontario. The Internationally Educated Midwives Bridging Program (IEMBP) runs between 8 and 10 months at
8505-648: The Department of Justice inspector general Michael E. Horowitz investigate whether Barr acceded to pressure from the White House to investigate Trump's political enemies. On May 5, 2019, Harris said "voter suppression" prevented Democrats Stacey Abrams and Andrew Gillum from winning the 2018 gubernatorial elections in Georgia and Florida ; Abrams lost by 55,000 votes and Gillum by 32,000. According to election law expert Richard L. Hasen , "I have seen no good evidence that
8640-596: The Netherlands, home birth is still a common practice, although rates have been declining during the past decades. Between 2005 and 2008, 29% of babies were delivered at home. This figure fell to 23% delivered at home between 2007 and 2010 according to Midwifery in the Netherlands, a 2012 pamphlet by The Royal Dutch Organization for Midwives. In 2014 it has dropped further to 13.4%. perined.nl/jaarboek2104.pdf. Midwives are generally organized as private practices, some of those are hospital-based. In-hospital outpatient childbirth
8775-810: The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) to practice midwifery, and use the title midwife or registered midwife . The undergraduate midwifery programs are four-year full-time university programs leading to a bachelor's degree in midwifery (HBO-bachelor Verloskunde). There are four colleges for midwifery in the Netherlands : in Amsterdam , Groningen , Rotterdam and Maastricht . Midwives are called vroedvrouw (knowledge woman), vroedmeester (knowledge master, male), or verloskundige (deliverance experts) in Dutch. Midwives are independent specialists in physiologic birth. In
8910-576: The President's conduct did not amount to obstruction of justice", and called for an investigation into whether Barr's summary of the Mueller report and his statements at a news conference were misleading. In April 2019, Harris was one of 34 Senate Democrats and independents to write a letter urging President Trump not to cut aid to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The group wrote: We encourage you to listen to members of your own Administration and reverse
9045-674: The Privacy Enforcement and Protection Unit, focusing on cyber privacy and data breaches. California secured settlements with companies like Comcast and Houzz for privacy violations. Harris was instrumental in advancing criminal justice reform. She launched the Division of Recidivism Reduction and Re-Entry and implemented the Back on Track LA program, which provided educational and job training opportunities for nonviolent offenders. Despite her focus on reform, Harris faced criticism for defending
9180-526: The San Francisco Reentry Division. Over six years, the 200 people graduated from the program had a recidivism rate of less than 10%, compared to the 53% of California's drug offenders who returned to prison within two years of release. In 2006, as part of an initiative to reduce the city's homicide rate, Harris led a citywide effort to combat truancy for at-risk elementary school youth in San Francisco. In 2008, declaring chronic truancy
9315-503: The Senate seat the next week. She was a top contender from the beginning of her campaign. The 2016 California Senate election used California's new top-two primary format, where the top two candidates in the primary advance to the general election regardless of party. On February 27, 2016, Harris won 78% of the California Democratic Party vote at the party convention, allowing her campaign to receive financial support from
9450-452: The U.S. for 90 days, she condemned the order and was one of many to call it a "Muslim ban". She called White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly at home to gather information and push back against the executive order. In February, Harris spoke in opposition to Trump's cabinet picks Betsy DeVos for secretary of education and Jeff Sessions for United States Attorney General . In early March, she called on Sessions to resign, after it
9585-512: The United Kingdom's Royal College of Midwives published a position statement on doulas, which supports the choice of the individual to hire a doula for their birth as long as the doula does not provide medical care. A 2018 study examined women's perceptions of doulas in several different countries, including Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Malawi, Sweden, Nepal, Russia, Canada, and the United States of America and found that having continuous support from
9720-601: The United States following the landmark decision, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization , doulas expect to be contacted more frequently about abortion support as access becomes more limited. They are taking precautions to retain online anonymity to better protect patients and themselves and navigate the threat of legal action. A gender doula provides care before, during, and after the gender transition process for transgender and non-binary individuals. Gender doulas may also serve as patient advocates for their clients against medical practitioners who may misgender or undermine
9855-454: The addition of a new baby. There is some evidence that postpartum doula support can increase breastfeeding and decrease postpartum depression . Other workers overlap in some of these services, such as maternity nurses, health visitors, newborn care specialists, lactation consultants, and, historically, monthly nurses . Full-spectrum doulas extend the role of a birth attendant and provide support for all reproductive experiences which connect
9990-513: The bed comfortable but also emotional and psychological tasks, such as providing guidance and support. In the United States, doulas can be found in hospital, community-based programs as well as private practice or doula agencies. They might also be reimbursed by insurance companies or out-of-pocket by clients. Since insurance companies typically do not cover the cost of hiring a doula, they are more popular among middle- and upper-class parents than amongst parents with lower incomes. Since doula care has
10125-644: The chief of the Career Criminal Division, supervising five other attorneys, where she prosecuted homicide , burglary , robbery , and sexual assault cases—particularly three-strikes cases . In August 2000, Harris took a job at San Francisco City Hall , working for city attorney Louise Renne . Harris ran the Family and Children's Services Division, representing child abuse and neglect cases. Renne endorsed Harris during her D.A. campaign. In 2002, Harris ran for District Attorney of San Francisco , running
10260-538: The communication skills that might be necessary. In 2010, a survey of professional Canadian doulas found that the common motivations for doula work include "desire to support women in childbirth, personal interest, and a wish to share their own positive birth experience with others" but did not see the work as a means to create steady income. Doulas of color also found motivation in providing care for their racial, ethnic and cultural communities so as to provide culturally competent care. Volunteer doulas often saw doula work as
10395-632: The creation of policies that will support those families and underserved communities. These doulas also actively engage policy makers by recommendations on certification and Medicaid coverage, integration into medical care, and participating on advisory boards. Since the 1980s, women incarcerated in the US has increased nearly 800 percent, of which an estimated 12,000 pregnant women are incarcerated annually. Pregnant prisoners are allowed to be shackled in more than 20 states and are forced to return to jail within 24 hours without their infants. The environmental factors of
10530-532: The death of Roxsana Hernández, a transgender woman and immigrant who died in ICE custody. In December, Harris led a group of Democratic senators and civil rights organizations in demanding the removal of White House senior adviser Stephen Miller after emails published by the Southern Poverty Law Center revealed frequent promotion of white nationalist literature to Breitbart website editors. Before
10665-400: The dehumanizing penal environment. In studies of women who received doula services while incarcerated, the women reported increased happiness around their pregnancy; greater feelings of empowerment; a sense of normalcy around birth; and support during separation from their infant. While well-received, prison doula support is not widespread in the United States and most programs are local due to
10800-516: The detection of complications in mother and child, the accessing of medical care or other appropriate assistance, and the carrying out of emergency measures. The midwife has an important task in health counselling and education, not only for the woman, but also within the family and the community. This work should involve antenatal education and preparation for parenthood and may extend to the pregnant's health, sexual or reproductive health, and child care. A midwife may practice in any setting, including
10935-482: The doula's role, lack of clear boundaries, and complex socio-economic issues. Additionally, doulas often are challenged with the task to navigate their role in medicalized (hospital) births. Due to the social hierarchy and privilege that medical professionals have in medical settings doulas are often subordinate to doctors and physicians. Doulas have to negotiate the power dynamics between the patient and medical provider, while also establishing their legitimacy and role in
11070-454: The effects of doulas on childbirth and postnatal care is complicated by the variety of settings, cultures, and medical systems of individual countries and the characteristics of patients. These benefits appear to be contingent on the doula providing continuous rather than intermittent assistance and knowing the specific social and cultural setting within which their services are provided. Doula care can help reduce health disparities of those with
11205-463: The figures now stand, Mozambique is one of the few countries on track to achieve the MDG of reducing the maternal death rate by 75% by 2015. Midwifery is a regulated profession with no connection to Nursing. Midwifery is a profession with a distinct body of knowledge and its own scope of practice, code of ethics and standards of practice. The midwifery profession has knowledge, skills and abilities to provide
11340-447: The final year, leading to an honours bachelor's degree in midwifery (BSc (Hons) Midwifery). The postgraduate midwifery programs (for registered midwives) lead to master's degrees in midwifery (MSc Midwifery, MSc Midwifery Practice). There are also postgraduate midwifery programs (for registered general nurses who wish to become midwives) leading to a qualification in midwifery (Higher Diploma in Midwifery). Midwives must be registered with
11475-562: The first Asian American vice president. A member of the Democratic Party , she was the party's nominee in the 2024 presidential election , becoming the second woman nominated for president by a major U.S. political party. From 2017 to 2021, she represented California in the U.S. Senate , and was Attorney General of California from 2011 to 2017. From 2004 to 2011, she served as District Attorney of San Francisco . Born in Oakland, California , Harris graduated from Howard University and
11610-620: The four-page summary he had released ahead of the full report. When asked by Harris whether he had reviewed the underlying evidence before deciding not to charge Trump with obstruction of justice, Barr admitted that neither he, Rod Rosenstein , nor anyone in his office had reviewed the evidence supporting the report before making the charging decision. Harris later called for Barr to resign, accusing him of refusing to answer her questions because he could open himself up to perjury , and saying his responses disqualified him from serving as U.S. attorney general. Two days later, Harris demanded again that
11745-403: The gender identity of the client. End-of-life or death doulas care for critically ill adults in geriatric care , and during death. While some doulas work independently or on a volunteer basis, others might work in association with a health care service, such as a palliative care service. The roles of an end-of-life doula include not only physical tasks, such as assisting with posture or making
11880-726: The greatest need including those with less education, lower incomes, less preparation for childbirth and those lacking social support. Research also supports the effectiveness of female friends or relatives, after minimal training, as a low-cost alternative to professional doulas. In March 2014, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) put out a Consensus Statement titled "Safe Prevention of Primary Cesarean Delivery" in which it said, "Increasing [a woman's] access to non-medical interventions during labor, such as continuous labor support, also has been shown to reduce cesarean birth rates." As more research has become available on
12015-592: The growing demand for services. Midwifery services are free to women living in provinces and territories with regulated midwifery. On 16 March 1995, the BC government announced the approval of regulations that govern midwifery and establish the College of Midwives of BC. In 1996, the Health Professional Council released a draft of Bylaws for the College of Midwives of BC, which the Cabinet approved on 13 April 1997. In 1998, midwives were officially registered with
12150-461: The health care system, and therefore they are denied the dignity that they deserve. And we need to speak this truth because today, the United States is 1 of only 13 countries in the world where the rate of maternal mortality is worse than it was 25 years ago. That risk is even higher for Black women, who are three to four times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related causes. These numbers are simply outrageous." A doula focused on birth
12285-404: The home in the first weeks and months after childbirth or after adding an infant to the family. The same doula often provides both birth and postpartum services. Their services include a mixture of emotional support and practical help, such as infant care, breastfeeding support, information, advocacy and referral, partner support, sibling care, and household organization/work as the family adjusts to
12420-637: The home, community, hospitals, clinics, or health units. The undergraduate midwifery programs are three-year full-time university programs leading to a bachelor's degree in midwifery (Bachelor of Midwifery) with additional one-year full-time programs leading to an honours bachelor's degree in midwifery (Bachelor of Midwifery (Honours)). The postgraduate midwifery programs (for registered midwives) lead to master's degrees in midwifery (Master in Midwifery, Master in Midwifery (Research), MSc Midwifery). There are also postgraduate midwifery programs (for registered nurses or paramedics who wish to become midwives) leading to
12555-465: The incumbent Republican president and vice president, Trump and Mike Pence , in the 2020 presidential election . Presiding over an evenly split U.S. Senate upon entering office, Harris played a crucial role as President of the Senate. She cast more tie-breaking votes than any other vice president , which helped pass bills such as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 stimulus package and
12690-432: The lack of an established federal standard of medical care for pregnant incarcerated individuals. In 2018, Washington was the first state to provide access to midwifery and doula services for incarcerated women for prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum care. However, the bill does not establish means of funding the services, and does not establish guidelines for care. Midwife A midwife ( pl. : midwives )
12825-533: The lack of standardization, doula organizations provide different courses with varying requirements and anyone can refer to themselves as a doula. Doulamatch.net, an online referral page for doulas, has offered a list of items that students should look for as they begin looking for training. Amy Gilliland, a researcher on doula care and culture, also lists some qualities a training program should have. Some theorists have stated that it might take college-level work or more in-depth online education in order to provide some of
12960-416: The medical team) and informational support (provide information about the birthing process and non-medication based forms of pain relief, and facilitating communication between their client and health providers). Most doula-client relationships begin a few months before the baby is due. Before the labor, the doula and the family can develop a relationship where the pregnant woman and their support person (e.g.
13095-416: The minimum volume of clinical care (40 women), participate in peer case reviews and continuing education activities. The University of British Columbia (UBC) has a four-year Bachelor of Midwifery program. The UBC midwifery program is poised to double in size thanks to an increase in government funding. Graduation of students will increase to 20 per year. In terms of professional associations, BC has both
13230-420: The normal progress of labor and understand how to deal with deviations from normal. They may intervene in high risk situations such as breech births , twin births , using non-invasive techniques. For complications related to pregnancy and birth that are beyond the midwife's scope of practice , including surgical and instrumental deliveries, they refer their patients to physicians or surgeons. In many parts of
13365-644: The opening of the impeachment trial of Donald Trump on January 16, 2020, Harris delivered remarks on the floor of the Senate, stating her views on the integrity of the American justice system and the principle that nobody, including an incumbent president, is above the law. She later asked Senate Judiciary chairman Lindsey Graham to halt all judicial nominations during the impeachment trial, to which Graham acquiesced. Harris voted to convict Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Harris worked on bipartisan bills with Republican co-sponsors, including
13500-580: The original 'alternative' style of midwifery in the 1960s and 1970s, midwifery practice is offered in a variety of ways within regulated provinces: midwives offer continuity of care within small group practices, choice of birthplace, and a focus on the woman as the primary decision-maker in her maternity care. When women or their newborns experience complications, midwives work in consultation with an appropriate specialist. Registered midwives have access to appropriate diagnostics like blood tests and ultrasounds and can prescribe some medications. Founding principles of
13635-558: The other parent) feel comfortable asking questions, expressing their fears and concerns, and discussing birth preferences. Continuous support during labor provided by doulas has been associated with improved outcomes for both birthing women and babies, including shorter delivery, fewer cesarean sections and complications, the use of fewer medications and fetal extraction tools, less time in neonatal intensive care units , positive psychological benefits, more satisfying birth experiences, and increased breastfeeding . Cross-country research on
13770-480: The party. Three months later, Governor Jerry Brown endorsed her. In the June 7 primary, Harris came in first with 40% of the vote and won with pluralities in most counties. Harris faced representative and fellow Democrat Loretta Sanchez in the general election. On July 19, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden endorsed Harris. In the November 2016 election , Harris defeated Sanchez with over 60% of
13905-691: The penal system are shown to increase the risks associated with poor perinatal outcomes and have long-term health risks for the women and their children. The implementation of prison doulas rose out of the movement to end shackling for pregnant and laboring women from the prison abolition , human rights, reproductive justice, and birth justice movements in the early 2000s. Prison doula organizations work with those incarcerated to provide prenatal care, childbirth education, birth attendance, and breast feeding support. By providing doula services to jails, prisons, recovery centers, and county hospitals, doulas work to improve birth experiences and bonding as well as to challenge
14040-713: The positive benefits of trained labor support provided by someone not employed by the hospital, in 2017 ACOG officially announced the need for all birthing individuals to have access to continuous labor support outside hospital staff, and said, "Evidence suggests that, in addition to regular nursing care, continuous one-to-one emotional support provided by support personnel, such as a doula, is associated with improved outcomes." The official committee opinion put out by ACOG also offers other recommendations that allow birthing women more choice and access to more supportive care. Doulas could be utilized to help achieve many of these recommendations as they move towards better collaboration. In 2017
14175-459: The potential to lower maternity costs and reduce health disparities, there is a push for coverage through Medicaid reimbursement programs. As of 2022, four states, Oregon , Minnesota , Virginia and Wisconsin , have implemented reimbursement programs. In 2019, New York State launched a doula pilot program for Medicaid reimbursement in Erie and Kings Counties. In that same year, New York State passed
14310-500: The process of childbirth. They, therefore, have to be cognizant of the medical environment in which their client chooses to give birth in order to effectively advocate for their client's needs. An antepartum doula provides help and support to someone who has been put on bed rest or is experiencing a high-risk pregnancy. Emotional, physical and practical support can be provided by an antepartum doula in this circumstance. Postpartum doulas provide educational support and practical support in
14445-521: The program is offered at the University of British Columbia . Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta offers a Bachelor of Midwifery program. In Ontario, the Midwifery Education Program (MEP) is offered by McMaster University and Toronto Metropolitan University and previously by Laurentian University . In Manitoba, the program is offered by the University of Manitoba and previously at
14580-422: The ritual role a midwife is expected to play. Mudem also meant, and continues to mean, 'circumcisor'." The midwife is recognized as a responsible and accountable professional who works in partnership with women to give necessary support during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period . They also provide care for the newborn and the infant; this care includes preventative measures, the promotion of normal birth,
14715-535: The role to the larger reproductive justice movement. This can include support for abortion , miscarriage , stillbirth , queer family planning, adoption , and fertility as well as extending services to women, men, transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. Abortion doulas focus on providing support to clients having an induced abortion. They provide emotional, physical, and informational support virtually or in person. Full-spectrum doulas often identify as activists as well as service providers and emphasize
14850-411: The safety of our citizens... By obstructing the use of [Fiscal Year 2018] national security funding and seeking to terminate similar funding from [Fiscal Year 2017], you are personally undermining efforts to promote U.S. national security and economic prosperity. On May 1, 2019, Barr testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee . During the hearing, he remained defiant about the misrepresentations in
14985-546: The state's position in cases involving wrongful convictions and for her office's stance on prison labor. She continued to advocate for progressive reforms, including banning the gay panic defense in California courts and opposing Proposition 8 , the state's same-sex marriage ban. After more than 20 years as a U.S. senator from California, Senator Barbara Boxer announced on January 13, 2015, that she would not run for reelection in 2016. Harris announced her candidacy for
15120-694: The state, and might prevent community doulas from working with low-income individuals. In the UK, the National Health Service and promotion of midwifery for low-risk pregnancies provide a continuity of care unavailable to North American pregnant women, but still are seeing an upswing in doulas. This pattern has been suggested to result from the lack of midwives available and a move to provide doulas to individuals at greater risk for poor outcomes. A 2019 study reviewed perceptions of labor companionship across mostly high income countries and found barriers that prevent
15255-535: The suppressive effects of strict voting and registration laws affected the outcome of the governor's races in Georgia and Florida." In July, Harris teamed with Kirsten Gillibrand to urge the Trump administration to investigate the persecution of Uyghurs in China by the Chinese Communist Party ; in this question she was joined by Senator Marco Rubio . In November, Harris called for an investigation into
15390-428: The tenets of midwifery and support midwives to provide woman-centered care, the regulatory bodies and professional associations have legislation and standards in place to provide protection, particularly for choice of birth place , informed choice and continuity of care. All regulated midwives have malpractice insurance. Any unregulated person who provides care with 'restricted acts' in regulated provinces or territories
15525-705: The term doula was accepted into the American Heritage Dictionary and Oxford Dictionary in 2003, followed by Merriam Webster Dictionary in 2004. Alternative names to this role include "childbirth assistant" and "monitrice," but they did not catch on as "doula" had. In 2008, activists in New York City began the Doula Project, to expand the role of the doula to other reproductive experiences beyond birth, grounded in reproductive justice framework. The participants began working as abortion doulas and coined
15660-461: The term "full-spectrum doula" who support all pregnancy experiences and outcomes such as pregnancy termination, miscarriage and fetal loss. Full spectrum doula groups can be found in major cities in the United States. In 2019, Black maternal health advocate and Parents writer Christine Michel Carter interviewed Vice President Kamala Harris about the popularity of doulas in the Black community. As
15795-429: The term from modern Greek ( δούλα , doúla ( Greek pronunciation: [ˈðula] ), "slave"), as told to her by an elderly Greek woman, Eleni Rassias, and described it as coming from " Aristotle 's time," an Ancient Greek word δούλα meaning "female slave." Two physician-researchers, Marshall Klaus and John Kennell , who conducted clinical trials on the medical outcomes of doula-attended births, adopted
15930-433: The term to refer to a person providing labor support. In 1992, Doulas of North America (later DONA International) was co-founded by Klaus, Kennell, Phyllis Klaus, Penny Simkin, and Annie Kennedy, becoming the first organization to train and certify doulas. The organization with the backing of the research of Klaus and Kennell helped lend credibility and professionalize doulas. Due to the lobbying efforts of DONA International,
16065-399: The title midwife . Kamala Harris Kamala Devi Harris (born October 20, 1964) is an American politician and attorney who has been the 49th and current vice president of the United States since 2021 under President Joe Biden . She is the first female U.S. vice president, making her the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history. She is also the first African American and
16200-430: The universal implementation of doula care. These challenges are due to a multitude of factors dealing with perception (for example, providers not understanding the benefits or roles and other medical aspects being seen as more important) and logistics (chiefly, gaps in policy, difficulty of integration, and lack of training). Community-based doulas work with underserved communities of which they are often members to provide
16335-845: The vote, carrying all but four counties. After her victory, she promised to protect immigrants from the policies of President-elect Donald Trump and announced her intention to remain Attorney General through the end of 2016. Harris became the second Black woman and first South Asian American senator in history. As a senator, Harris advocated stricter gun control laws, the DREAM Act , federal legalization of cannabis , and healthcare and taxation reforms. She became well known nationally after questioning several Trump appointees such as Jeff Sessions and Brett Kavanaugh . On January 28, after Trump signed Executive Order 13769 , barring citizens from several Muslim-majority countries from entering
16470-714: The vote. During her second term, she expanded her focus on consumer protection, securing major settlements against corporations like Quest Diagnostics , JPMorgan Chase , and Corinthian Colleges , recovering billions for California consumers. She spearheaded the creation of the Homeowner Bill of Rights to combat aggressive foreclosure practices during the housing crisis, recording multiple nine-figure settlements against mortgage servicers. Harris also worked on privacy rights. She collaborated with major tech companies like Apple , Google , and Facebook to ensure that mobile apps disclosed their data-sharing practices. She created
16605-591: The week. Shyamala was friends with African-American intellectuals and activists in Oakland and Berkeley. In 1976, she accepted a research position at the McGill University School of Medicine , and moved with her daughters to Montreal, Quebec . Kamala graduated from Westmount High School on Montreal Island in 1981. Kamala Harris attended Vanier College in Montreal in 1981–82, and then Howard University ,
16740-458: The world, these professions work in tandem to provide care to childbearing women. In others, only the midwife is available to provide care, and in yet other countries, many women elect to use obstetricians primarily over midwives. Many developing countries are investing money and training for midwives, sometimes by upskilling those people already practicing as traditional birth attendants . Some primary care services are currently lacking, due to
16875-404: The world. Some doulas work as volunteers; others are paid for their services by their client, medical institutions, or other private and public organizations. Doulas receive varying amounts of training, and their professionalism also varies. The contributions of doulas during reproductive experiences and end-of-life care have been studied and have been shown to benefit their clients. For example,
17010-569: Was a target of the October 2018 United States mail bombing attempts . In December, the Senate passed the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act (S. 3178), sponsored by Harris. The bill, which died in the House, would have made lynching a federal hate crime. Harris supported busing for desegregation of public schools , saying, "the schools of America are as segregated, if not more segregated, today than when I
17145-440: Was devastated and one in ten women were dying in childbirth. There were only 18 obstetricians for a population of 19 million. In 2004, Mozambique introduced a new health care initiative to train midwives in emergency obstetric care in an attempt to guarantee access to quality medical care during pregnancy and childbirth. The newly introduced midwives system now perform major surgeries including caesareans and hysterectomies . As
17280-462: Was elected Attorney General of California in 2010 , becoming the first woman, African American , and South Asian American to hold the office in the state's history. She took office on January 3, 2011, and was reelected in 2014 . She served until resigning on January 3, 2017, to take her seat in the United States Senate . In 2010, Harris announced her candidacy for attorney general and
17415-511: Was endorsed by prominent California Democrats, including U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi . She won the Democratic primary and narrowly defeated Republican nominee Steve Cooley in the general election. Her tenure was marked by significant efforts in consumer protection, criminal justice reform, and privacy rights. In 2014, Harris was reelected, defeating Republican nominee Ronald Gold with 58% of
17550-580: Was first regulated in 1868. Today midwives in Japan are regulated under the Act on Public Health Nurse, Midwife and Nurse (No. 203) established in 1948. Japanese midwives must pass a national certification exam. On 1 March 2003 the Japanese name of midwife officially converted to a gender neutral name. Still, only women can take the national midwife exam. When a 16-year civil war ended in 1992, Mozambique 's health care system
17685-594: Was first used in a 1969 anthropological study conducted by Dana Raphael , a protégée of Margaret Mead , with whom she co-founded the Human Lactation Center in Westport, Connecticut , in the 1970s. Raphael suggested it was a widespread practice that a female of the same species be part of childbirth, and in human societies this was traditionally a role occupied by a family member or friend whose presence contributed to successful long-term breastfeeding. Raphael derived
17820-472: Was in elementary school." She viewed busing as an option to be considered by school districts, rather than the responsibility of the federal government. Harris was an early co-sponsor of the Green New Deal , a plan to transition the country towards generating 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030. In March 2019, after Special Counsel Robert Mueller submitted his report on Russian interference in
17955-706: Was introduced in 1996 to mainland China and demand of their services increased since then, with women citing dissatisfaction with medical care. After China's implementation of the Second-Child Policy, doula care was strongly linked to doula support in regard to family planning. Tensions between doctors, nurses, and doulas have sometimes been described as a "turf battle," though it is also recognized that doulas and nurses can occupy complementary roles that provide opportunities for mutual learning and assistance. Some hospitals have created internal doula training programs to reduce conflict between doulas and medical staff. There
18090-622: Was reported that Sessions, who had previously said he "did not have communications with the Russians", spoke twice with Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak . In April, Harris voted against the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court . Later that month, she took her first foreign trip to the Middle East, visiting California troops stationed in Iraq and
18225-457: Was the first woman, the first African American, and the first Asian American to hold each office. Harris was the junior U.S. senator from California from 2017 to 2021. She won the 2016 Senate election , becoming the second Black woman and first South Asian American U.S. senator. As a senator, Harris advocated for stricter gun control laws, the DREAM Act , federal legalization of cannabis , and reforms to healthcare and taxation . She gained
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